Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-04-16
Encourage the Paper.
April 18th, 1887.

While reading the many articles in
the MESSENGER, | am forced to give it
few words of encouragement. 1t is
wide awake frst-class newspaper and
all who are interested in the progress
of the African race should read it-for
in it we read the doings not only Of
the mountainous and billy rigions of
Mecklcnburg county, but it.gives us
the events of all parts of the Piedmont
section. 1t is a paper worthy of the
colored race, and it is hoped that
others will soon be established in our
sister cities and towns. We have been
asked to contribute to its columns. and
many no doubt, who could and would
write, are destitute of that courage.
which would enable them to do more,
if they would only strive to cultivate
he will power. We are proud to see
hat our sister city, the metropolis,
is coming to the front and we trust
,iher places will follow the good ex-
ample. We can say with propiiety
sc have strong minds. able minds and
''uitful minds within the limits Of oat
own. and all that is needed Is III
will--for he way is opcu wfie 10 orr
lew. an, grasp it. W. mist. Yonus
aides, young men, shake oil yoa
fowsiness aud enter thai road which
viii lead to success by earnest eiloris.
Wake up Fayetteville ladies and men
yake up. We need more energetic
oung men and women The men and
snmen of to-day mast fill the places Of
cher distinguished ones. AMI unless
We bcstir ourselves, We will never be
blr 10 Eli the vacancy. There Is al
ways room for imprGvement--let Us
eek it. Do not allow ourselves to
ihink for moment We have nothing
0 do. Many fields Of labor stand yet
lncultivated and if we sit in idleness,
he grass will grow up and destroy our
rops. For instance. look at the farm
r, there is more to be done besides
Hing the soil-unless he uses that
rain power he will have fruitless
:rops. The mechanic with all his I'M
Elements. plans out daily what is best
o do in order to accomplish some good
led. SO it is with the school uaster
rr mistress, they toll from day unto
ay and even at night while we are
posing, they are up, reviewing their
xt books, so they may be better
qualified to instruct the pupils; and if
re who are pupils sit idle we will ac-
-rnplish but little. A good practical
lucation, including good trade is a
petter outfit for a youth. than grand
state with the draw back of an empty
nind. Many parents have shaved and
,Jinched, to leaye their children rich,
when half the sum thus lavished would
ave profted them more. had it been
.evoted to the cultivation of their
hinds, the enlargement of their capac-
ty to think, observe and work. Let
rs then be up and doing for the harvest
) great and the labors are few. Last
y let me say word to our young
men.
We are out upon the voyage of life,
strive to attain the height Of eminence,
lever look back but always keep your
yes upward-remember we want men
If honor, men of intelligence. We
want men to sit in our Legislative halls,
n the Senate chamber, and in short
We want men Of character to fill the
aany honorable places which, in time
must and shau be filed. There are
more fields than one. and all cannot
and must not besteachers. Look at
the many positions, o high standard,